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At least 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Multiple scattering lidar returns from stratus clouds

Multiple scattering lidar returns from stratus clouds were measured using a multi-field-of-view (MFOV) lidar operating at 1.054 microns. The detector consists of four concentric silicon photodiodes which define half-angle fields of view (FOV) of 3.8, 12.5, 25 and 38.5 mrad. The central FOV receives the conventional lidar signal, while the outer FOV's receive only multiply scattered contributions. The ratios of the signals in the outer FOV's to the signal in the central FOV is an indication of the lateral spreading of the scattered component of the laser pulse as it propagates through the cloud. MFOV lidar returns from stratus clouds measured between October 1991 and March 1992 can be divided into two distinct types, those with large multiple scattering ratios and those with small ratios. An example of each type of return is shown. Both measurements were made at an elevation angle of 45 degrees. Clouds with small multiple scattering signals probably have a high concentration of much larger particles on the order of hundreds of micrometers in size. This is a typical size range for suspended ice crystals or precipitations. Stratus clouds often have a high concentration of ice crystals even when there is no precipitation. Large ice crystals would give smaller signals in the outer FOV's because much of the scattered intensity is contained in a narrow diffraction peak with an angular width on the order of milliradians. The result is that for a given extinction, many more orders of scattering are required for the laser pulse to spread out. So far we have not been able to do simulations of MFOV lidar returns from ice crystal clouds because of uncertainties about the phase function of the crystals, particularly the magnitude of the backscatter peak at 180 degrees. On two occasions, MFOV lidar returns measured just prior to snowfall, showed a striking vertical profile. An example is shown. From 900 to 1300m, the multiply scattered signals are negligible compared to the return in the central FOV. Abruptly, at 1300m strong signals begin in the outer FOVs. These results could be explained by the presence of a cloud layer composed of water droplets at a range of 1300m (or 900m above ground) with snow precipitations forming at the bottom of the cloud. By measuring the polarization ratio of lidar signals, Pal and Carswell have observed snow precipitating from a cloud layer composed of water droplets. Based on these results, we believe that analysis of multiple scattering lidar returns can yield important information on the phase of cloud particles.

Hutt, D. L.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimization of crystal growth and properties of γ-CuI ultrafast scintillator by the addition of LiI

Highlights: • Large and transparent γ-CuI single crystal with the size over 20 mm was successfully obtained for the first time. • The intensities of near-band-edge emissions of γ-CuI single crystal are greatly enhanced by Li and I dopants. • The 430 nm emission decay time is less than 450 ps under pulsed X-ray irradiation. - Abstract: Large-sized γ-CuI single crystals with ultrafast scintillation property were grown in LiI acetonitrile solvent through evaporation technique. The LiI exhibits unique properties to γ-CuI single crystal preparation. One is that it increases the solubility of CuI in the solvent, which gives rise to a largest-sized (23 × 14 × 2 mm{sup 3}) single crystal with the high optical transmission (over 60%) in the wavelength region of 435–800 nm. The other feature is that it acts as an effective isoelectronic dopant and improves the molar ratio of copper to iodine, which greatly enhances the near-band-edge emissions (411 and 432 nm) and suppresses the broadband emission (680 nm). The decay time of the fast emission under pulsed X-ray excitation is shorter than 450 ps. The results will give a guidance for optimizing the properties of γ-CuI single crystal as an ultrafast scintillator.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Friction stir processing on a strontium modified, thin-wall, vacuum-assisted high-pressure die-cast Aural-5 alloy to improve tensile and fatigue performance

Here, this study explores the application of friction stir processing (FSP) to enhance the material properties of Sr-modified Aural-5 alloy, with a focus on improved tensile and fatigue properties. Aural-5 is a well-known vacuum-assisted high-pressure die-cast (HPDC) Al-Si7-Mg alloy used in the automotive industry to reduce vehicle weight, enhance fuel efficiency, and lower carbon emissions. This alloy modifies its material chemistry with Sr for fine fibrous networks of eutectic silicon and manganese (Mn) to reduce die soldering. It has significantly less iron (Fe) content resulting in the elimination of detrimental needle-shaped Fe-bearing ß-phase intermetallic and improving ductility. The initial microstructure of as-received HPDC Aural-5 exhibits shrinkage porosity in the middle section, a dendritic microstructure with fibrous Al-Si eutectic colonies, a shear-band structure beneath the die-wall, large dendritic externally solidified crystals (ESCs), needle-shaped Mg 2 Si phase and significant second-phase particulates. Some of those microstructural features, such as porosity, ESCs, needle-shaped Mg 2 Si phase, and large second-phase particles, serve as initiation sites for cracks under mechanical loading, resulting in adverse effects on tensile properties, particularly ductility. FSP effectively transforms the microstructure into a wrought configuration with uniform particle distribution by eliminating porosity and disintegrating dendrites, eutectic colonies, ESCs, second-phase particles, and shear-band structures. FSP-driven microstructure modification enhances yield strength and tensile ductility by ~30% and ~35%, respectively. The fatigue life of the material in a bending mode configuration (stress ratio R = 0.1) after FSP exhibits enhancements ranging from 2.0 to 3.9 times that of the original HPDC Aural-5 alloy, depending on the applied stress level.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fabrication of Arrays of Topological Solitons in Patterned Chiral Liquid Crystals for Real-Time Observation of Morphogenesis

Topological solitons have knotted continuous field configurations embedded in a uniform background, and occur in cosmology, biology, and electromagnetism. However, real-time observation of their morphogenesis and dynamics is still challenging because their size and timescale are enormously large or tiny. Liquid crystal (LC) structures are promising candidates for a model-system to study the morphogenesis of topological solitons, enabling direct visualization due to the proper size and timescale. We report a new way is found to rationalize the real-time observation of the generation and transformation of topological solitons using cholesteric LCs confined in patterned substrates. The experimental demonstration shows the topologically protected structures arise via the transformation of topological defects. Numerical modeling based on minimization of free energy closely reconstructs the experimental findings. The fundamental insights obtained from the direct observations pose new theoretical challenges in understanding the morphogenesis of different types of topological solitons within a broad range of scales.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

An effective approach to synthesize monolayer tungsten disulphide crystals using tungsten halide precursor

The synthesis of large-area monolayer tungsten disulphide (WS{sub 2}) single crystal is critical for realistic application in electronic and optical devices. Here, we demonstrate an effective approach to synthesize monolayer WS{sub 2} crystals using tungsten hexachloride (WCl{sub 6}) as a solid precursor in atmospheric chemical vapor deposition process. In this technique, 0.05M solution of WCl{sub 6} in ethanol was drop-casted on SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate to create an even distribution of the precursor, which was reduced and sulfurized at 750 °C in Ar atmosphere. We observed growth of triangular, star-shaped, as well as dendritic WS{sub 2} crystals on the substrate. The crystal geometry evolves with the shape and size of the nuclei as observed from the dendritic structures. These results show that controlling the initial nucleation and growth process, large WS{sub 2} single crystalline monolayer can be grown using the WCl{sub 6} precursor. Our finding shows an easier and effective approach to grow WS{sub 2} monolayer using tungsten halide solution-casting, rather than evaporating the precursor for gas phase reaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Highly mobile segments in crystalline poly(ethylene oxide){sub 8}:NaPF{sub 6} electrolytes studied by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

Two types of high-crystallinity poly(ethylene oxide)/NaPF{sub 6} electrolytes with ethylene oxide (EO)/Na molar ratios of 8:1 and 6:1, termed as PEO{sub 8}:NaPF{sub 6} and PEO{sub 6}:NaPF{sub 6} with M{sub w} = 6000 g mol{sup −1} were prepared, and their ionic conductivity, structure, and segmental motions were investigated and compared. PEO{sub 8}:NaPF{sub 6} polymer electrolyte exhibits the room-temperature ionic conductivity 7.7 × 10{sup −7} S cm{sup −1} which is about five times higher than the PEO{sub 6}:NaPF{sub 6}. By variable-temperature measurements of static powder spectra and {sup 1}H spin-lattice relaxation time in rotation frame ({sup 1}H T{sub 1ρ}), we demonstrate that crystalline segments are more highly mobile in the crystalline PEO{sub 8}:NaPF{sub 6} with higher ionic conductivity than in the PEO{sub 6}:NaPF{sub 6} with lower ionic conductivity. The large-angle reorientation motion of polymer segments in the PEO{sub 8}:NaPF{sub 6} onsets at lower temperature (∼233 K) with a low activation energy 0.31 eV that is comparable with that of the pure PEO crystal. Whereas, the large-angle reorientation motion of polymer segments in the PEO{sub 6}:NaPF{sub 6} starts around 313 K with a high activation energy of 0.91 eV. As a result of the temperature-enhanced large-angle reorientations, the {sup 13}C static powder lineshape changes markedly from a low-temperature wide pattern with apparent principal values of chemical shift δ{sub 33} < δ{sub 22} < δ{sub 11} to a high-temperature narrow pattern of uniaxial chemical shift anisotropy δ{sub 33} > δ{sub 22} (δ{sub 11}). It is suggested that the segmental motion in crystalline PEO-salt complex promotes ionic conductivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Purification and Improved Nuclear Radiation Detection of Tl 6 SI 4 Semiconductor

The wide-band-gap semiconductor Tl 6 SI 4 (2.14 eV) has high photon stopping power and is a promising material for detecting X-rays. To improve its photoresponse to low-flux γ-rays, material purification prior to crystal growth is crucial. In this contribution, we report effective purification protocols, impurity analysis, followed by synthesis and crystal growth, charge transport, and detector performance of large-sized Tl 6 SI 4 crystals. Purification methods of evaporation and zone refining were developed, and their high effectiveness was confirmed by impurity analysis via glow discharge mass spectrometry. Centimeter-sized single crystals were grown using the Bridgman method. The improved properties after material purification were confirmed by photoluminescence measurements. The energy of the valence band maximum of a Tl 6 SI 4 , measured with photoemission spectroscopy in air (PESA), is ~5.34 ± 0.05 eV. Detector devices fabricated from the single crystal exhibit a high resistivity of 5 × 10 12 Ω·cm. The detector shows potential photoresponse under 22.4 keV Ag Kα X-rays and 122 keV γ-rays from 57 Co. Spectroscopic energy resolution was achieved for 5.5 MeV α-particles from a 241 Am radiation source with a full width at half-maximum of 27% at an electric field intensity of 2500 V·cm -1 . On the foundation of its spectral response to 57 Co γ-rays, the electron mobility-lifetime product μeτe was estimated as 1.4 × 10 -5 cm 2 ·V -1 . Drift mobility measurements via a time-of-flight technique using spectral photoresponse induced by α-particles reveal a high electron mobility of 35 ± 7 cm 2 ·V -1 ·s -1 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Using depolarization to quantify ice nucleating particle concentrations: a new method

We have developed a new method to determine ice nucleating particle (INP) concentrations observed by the Texas A&M University continuous flow diffusion chamber (CFDC) under a wide range of operating conditions. In this study, we evaluate differences in particle optical properties detected by the Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer with POLarization (CASPOL) to differentiate between ice crystals, droplets, and aerosols. The depolarization signal from the CASPOL instrument is used to determine the occurrence of water droplet breakthrough (WDBT) conditions in the CFDC. The standard procedure for determining INP concentration is to count all particles that have grown beyond a nominal size cutoff as ice crystals. During WDBT this procedure overestimates INP concentration, because large droplets are miscounted as ice crystals. Here we design a new analysis method based on depolarization ratio that can extend the range of operating conditions of the CFDC. The method agrees reasonably well with the traditional method under non-WDBT conditions with a mean percent error of ±32.1 %. Additionally, a comparison with the Colorado State University CFDC shows that the new analysis method can be used reliably during WDBT conditions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Instrument Development and Gamma Spectroscopy with Strontium Iodide

Development of the Europium-doped Strontium Iodide scintillator, SrI2(Eu), involves advances in crystal growth, optics and readout methodology for prototype detectors. We have demonstrated energy resolution of 3% at 662 keV for a 26 cm3 SrI2(Eu) crystal, which is comparable to the performance obtained with Cerium-doped Lanthanum Bromide of equivalent size. Compared to standard analog readout, use of a digital readout method allows improved energy resolution to be obtained with large-volume SrI2(Eu) crystals. Comparative gamma spectra acquired with LaBr3(Ce) and NaI(Tl) quantitatively depict the value of the high resolution and low intrinsic radioactivity of SrI2(Eu) in discriminating closely spaced gamma lines for radioisotope identification applications.

Cherepy, Nerine↗
DOE OSTI2013

Competition of the connectivity with the local and the global order in polymer melts and crystals

The competition between the connectivity and the local or global order in model fully flexible chain molecules is investigated by molecular-dynamics simulations. States with both missing (melts) and high (crystal) global order are considered. Local order is characterized within the first coordination shell (FCS) of a tagged monomer and found to be lower than in atomic systems in both melt and crystal. The role played by the bonds linking the tagged monomer to FCS monomers (radial bonds), and the bonds linking two FCS monomers (shell bonds) is investigated. The detailed analysis in terms of Steinhardt's orientation order parameters Q{sub l} (l = 2 − 10) reveals that increasing the number of shell bonds decreases the FCS order in both melt and crystal. Differently, the FCS arrangements organize the radial bonds. Even if the molecular chains are fully flexible, the distribution of the angle formed by adjacent radial bonds exhibits sharp contributions at the characteristic angles θ ≈ 70°, 122°, 180°. The fractions of adjacent radial bonds with θ ≈ 122°, 180° are enhanced by the global order of the crystal, whereas the fraction with 70° ≲ θ ≲ 110° is nearly unaffected by the crystallization. Kink defects, i.e., large lateral displacements of the chains, are evidenced in the crystalline state.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1991

Large zeolites - Why and how to grow in space

The growth of zeolite crystals which are considered to be the most valuable catalytic and adsorbent materials of the chemical processing industry are discussed. It is proposed to use triethanolamine as a nucleation control agent to control the time release of Al in a zeolite A solution and to increase the average and maximum crystal size by 25-50 times. Large zeolites could be utilized to make membranes for reactors/separators which will substantially increase their efficiency.

Sacco, Albert, Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Vacuum deposition of χ(2) nonlinear organic single crystal films on silicon

Integrating second order nonlinear (χ(2)) optical materials on chip is an ongoing challenge for Si photonics. Noncentrosymmetric molecular crystals have the potential to deliver high χ(2) nonlinearity with good thermal stability, but so far have been limited to growth from solution or the melt, which are both difficult to control and scale up in manufacturing. Here, we show that large (>100 μm) single crystal domains of the nonlinear molecule 2-[3-(4-hydroxystyryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enylidene] malononitrile (OH1) can be grown monolithically on either glass or Si via vacuum evaporation, followed by a short thermal annealing step. The crystallites are tens of nanometer thick and exhibit strong second harmonic generation with their primary χ(2) tensor component lying predominantly in plane. Remarkably, we find that a single domain can grow uninterrupted through nearby channels etched on a Si wafer, which may provide a path to integrate OH1 on Si or Si3N4 waveguides for a broad range of χ(2)-based photonic integrated circuit functionality.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ingot niobium as candidate electrode material for Jefferson Lab 200 kV inverted electron photogun

This contribution describes the field emission characterization of niobium electrodes using a DC high voltage field emission test apparatus. A total of six electrodes were evaluated: two large-grain, two single-crystal, and two fine-grain that were chemically polished using a buffered-chemical acid solution. Field emission from niobium electrodes could be significantly reduced and sometimes completely eliminated, by introducing krypton gas into the vacuum chamber while the electrode is biased at high voltage. Of all the electrodes tested, a large-grain niobium electrode performed the best, exhibiting no measurable field emission (<10 pA) at 225 kV with 20 mm cathode/anode gap, corresponding to a field strength of 18.7 MV/m. Motivated by these results, an inverted electron photogun operated at Jefferson Lab injector test facility was equipped with a large-grain niobium cathode electrode and it has been successfully conditioned to 225 kV without field emission. This photogun was used to study strained superlattice GaAs and K{sub 2}CsSb photocathodes at high beam currents.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crystals of $\mathrm{TELSAM}$–target protein fusions that exhibit minimal crystal contacts and lack direct inter-$\mathrm{TELSAM}$ contacts

While conducting pilot studies into the usefulness of fusion to TELSAM polymers as a potential protein crystallization strategy, we observed novel properties in crystals of two TELSAM–target protein fusions, as follows. (i) A TELSAM–target protein fusion can crystallize more rapidly and with greater propensity than the same target protein alone. (ii) TELSAM–target protein fusions can be crystallized at low protein concentrations. This unprecedented observation suggests a route to crystallize proteins that can only be produced in microgram amounts. (iii) The TELSAM polymers themselves need not directly contact one another in the crystal lattice in order to form well-diffracting crystals. This novel observation is important because it suggests that TELSAM may be able to crystallize target proteins too large to allow direct inter-polymer contacts. (iv) Flexible TELSAM–target protein linkers can allow target proteins to find productive binding modes against the TELSAM polymer. (v) TELSAM polymers can adjust their helical rise to allow fused target proteins to make productive crystal contacts. (vi). Fusion to TELSAM polymers can stabilize weak inter-target protein crystal contacts. We report features of these TELSAM–target protein crystal structures and outline future work needed to validate TELSAM as a crystallization chaperone and determine best practices for its use.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Evaluation of Crystal Accumulation in High Level Waste Glasses with Research-Scale Melter

The report summarizes the experimental results from a long term Research Scale Melter (RSM) test which was performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in FY16 to answer questions on the effects of spinel crystal accumulation on melter performance and operational longevity. The RSM was used to vitrify a surrogate waste material of the Hanford AZ-101 tank waste composition. This waste contains a high concentration of Fe and Ni and is susceptible to precipitation of a large quantity of spinel crystals during vitrification. The RSM test was run over a period of 11 weeks and consisted of eleven feeding/pouring and idling periods. The feeding/pouring periods were 36 h long while the idling periods ranged from 4 to 7 days. Approximately 509 kg of feed was processed, producing ~159 kg of glass. The main goal of this test was to determine if the riser of the melter can be clogged by accumulated layer of spinel crystals which precipitated from glass during multiple idling’s. In addition, the glass samples were collected during each pouring to evaluate a possibility of a partial or complete removal of crystal deposits accumulated during idling. Furthermore, an electrical conductivity probe was tested for monitoring the crystal accumulation in the riser of the melter during idling’s. The test was concluded by dissecting the melter and preparing cross-sections to determine layer thickness, crystal size and morphology of spinel crystals in the bulk of the melter and in the glass riser.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗